"Glorified bus drivers"
Once heard a commercial pilot air his feelings that he and many colleagues felt that they were no more than glorified bus / train drivers, but differed in that they regularly did not get home at night.
Does this (IMHO negative) viewpoint pervade the circles of the professional commercial pilot? Is it more prevalant now with the short haul, fast turnaround environment of the low cost carriers..or is it a feeling generally held by a cynical older few who have found that the pride and responsibility aspects jade over time.
Tim